Plano city council meeting disrupted by calls for Israel-Hamas cease-fire

Meeting disrupted by Israel-Hamas cease-fire calls

Monday's Plano City Council meeting was disrupted when some speakers calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war monopolized public comment. And then there was a security concern.

PLANO, Texas - There was added security at the Plano city council meeting that resumed Tuesday after it was cut short Monday.

Monday's meeting was disrupted when some speakers calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war monopolized public comment. And then there was a security concern.

People wanting city leaders to take a symbolic stand on the forced Monday night’s city council meeting to end early.

With an increased police presence, the postponed Plano City Council meeting ran smoothly Tuesday evening. police cruiser was parked outside.

Inside, council members were flanked by two officers as they continued their agenda, taking up matters such as zoning cases.

"We would like to apologize for pushing this to today, so thank you for your patience," said Plano Mayor John Muns.

However, Monday’s regularly scheduled council meeting was cut short less than an hour in.

RAW: Calls for cease-fire disrupt Plano council meeting

Plano leaders listened to about 40 minutes of public comments from people who wanted them to take a symbolic stand on the Israel-Hamas war. When the council tried to move on without taking any action, there were outbursts.

A topic not on the agenda dominated Monday's public comment section. More than a dozen Plano residents signed up to speak.

Those who did get a chance to address the council asked members to approve a symbolic resolution to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. That lasted about 40 minutes.

Mayor Muns stopped a woman trying to speak, saying public comment went past the allotted time of 30 minutes. He then announced the council must move on. Screams were heard from the audience.

"The priority of the city of Plano continues to be keeping all of our residents safe," he said.

The exchange caused the mayor to call a short break.

As people were leaving the building, police say they found an unclaimed backpack with a child’s coat over top of it. The bomb squad was called in, but they gave the all clear.

Everyone was sent home.

Back in October, the Dallas City Council showed its support for Israel by passing a resolution that condemned the attacks by Hamas.

At the October meeting, members of North Texas’ Palestinian community voiced opposition to the resolution, referencing the innocent lives lost in Gaza.

The Plano municipal building reopened Tuesday morning. The meeting only had a few items, so everyone was gone just after 5 p.m.